AS an objective observer of the current impasse, I believe that both Chris Patten and Lu Ping are brave and conscientious advocates of what they believe is best for the future of Hongkong.
Perhaps John Major was mistaken in appointing someone as Governor, who had so little experience of the Far East, and who therefore, unwittingly, hurt the feelings of his Chinese counterparts.
The attention given to Mr Patten, to his political flair, and to his reform proposals, were just too much for the Chinese to take. A head-on clash was inevitable.
In order for democracy not to degenerate into ''mobocracy'', it must be evolutionary, not revolutionary.
While Hongkong may be qualified for the kind of democracy proposed by Chris Patten, the continued presence of the British contingent is required to ''steady the ship'' should instability arise.
China should not be alienated.
